ACC ~ 1 Timothy 6 v10

THE JUST PERSON. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: Poverty of heart is the true wealth, and the true nobility is not that founded on riches but that which comes from a contempt for riches. It is disgraceful to boast about one’s possessions. Not to be concerned about them any longer very clearly proves the just man. CHRIST THE EDUCATOR 2.3.39.

VIRTUE ITS OWN REWARD. AMBROSE: How happy is the man who has been able to cut out the root of vices, avarice. Surely he will not dread this balance. Avarice generally dulls men’s senses and corrupts their judgments, so that they think piety a gain, and money a sort of reward for sagacity. But great is the reward of piety and the gaining of sobriety. The possession of these virtues is sufficient. LETTERS 15.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. AMBROSE: Therefore the man of good counsel says, “I have learned in whatever state I am to be content.”For he knew that the root of all evils is the love of money. Therefore he was content with what he had, without seeking for what was another’s. Sufficient for me, he says, is what I have. Whether I have little or much, to me it is much. DUTIES OF THE CLERGY 2.17.89.

LOVE OF MONEY LEADS TO BAD LIVING AND BAD FAITH. CHRYSOSTOM: What evils does it not cause! What fraudulent practices, what robberies! What miseries, enmities, contentions, battles! Does it not stretch forth its hand even to the dead, even to fathers and brothers? Do not they who are possessed by this passion violate the laws of nature and the commandments of God? In short everything? Is it not this that renders our courts of justice necessary? Take away therefore the love of money, and you put an end to war, to battle, to enmity, to strife and contention. HOMILIES ON 1 TIMOTHY 17.

FAITH DAMAGED BY AVARICE. CHRYSOSTOM: In many places Paul covertly signifies this point: a corrupt life is the parent of evil doctrines. “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, which some reaching after, have been led astray from the faith.” Indeed, many of those who are conscious of wickedness and would prefer not to pay its penalty are by this fear damaged also in their faith concerning the resurrection. This can happen even when they on a daily basis are virtuously desiring to behold the resurrection. HOMILIES ON FIRST CORINTHIANS 40.3.

POSSESSING NOTHING AS IF EVERYTHING. CHRYSOSTOM: The man who possesses nothing as if he had everything disdains all. He is very outspoken with officials, and rulers, and the sovereign. For by despising possessions and advancing methodically, he will scorn even death with ease. Since he is above these things, he will speak openly with everyone and tremble with fear before no one. But the man who has devoted himself to money is a slave to it and also to his reputation, honor, the present life, in short, to all human concerns. Consequently, Paul has called it the root of all evil. ON VIRGINITY 81.

SOME PHANTOM OF GOOD. GREGORY OF NYSSA: The tree, then, from which comes this fruit of mixed knowledge is among those things which are forbidden. Its fruit is combined of opposite qualities, and therefore for this reason perhaps has the serpent to commend it. For the evil is not exposed in its nakedness, thereby appearing in its own proper nature; for wickedness would surely fail of its effect were it not decked with some fair color to entice to the desire of it him whom it deceives. But now the nature of evil is in a manner mixed and thus keeps destruction like some snare concealed in its depths and displays some phantom of good in the deceitfulness of its exterior. The beauty of the substance seems good to those who love money. ON THE MAKING OF MAN 20.2.

DISORDERED LOVE. AUGUSTINE: For when the soul loves its own power, it slips from the common whole to its own particular part. Had it followed God as its ruler in the universal creature, it could have been most excellently governed by his laws. But in that apostatizing pride, which is called “the beginning of sin,” it sought for something more than the whole; and while it struggled to govern it by its own laws, it was thrust into caring for a part, since there is nothing more than the whole. So by desiring something more, it becomes less, and for this reason covetousness is called “the root of all evils.” ON THE TRINITY 12.9.14.

GREED AND CHARITY. AUGUSTINE: So love God, and love your neighbor as yourself. I mean, I can see that you love yourself, because you love God. Charity is the root of all good works. Just as greed, after all, is the root of all evil, so charity is the root of all good things. SERMONS 179A.5.